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Prayer in Public School Essay

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In the heart of every religion, there is a way to express one's deepest thoughts and feelings--prayer. Prayer is something that most people due naturally. Whether it is in the morning before you start your day, before a meal, before you go to sleep, or when you just feel the need to express your feelings, prayer is always there. Religious faiths believe that this is central to human life. Even those who are not religious pray. Prayer affects the material universe. Prayer can be defined as an earnest request; a humble entreaty addressed to God, to a god, etc (Webster's). We are allowed to pray publicly anywhere, as long as we don't pray out loud. Yet we all live in a society that does not allow prayer inside public schools. Prayer is also …show more content…

Students are also free to organize Bible study and other religious interest clubs if any other secular clubs are allowed. Religious clubs must be given the same access to the schools facilities. Group meetings also must be "voluntary and student initiated." Students can also engage in a "moment of silence" during which they can pray, meditate, plan their day, or engage in any other silent mental activity (Religioustolerance). Religious freedom is one of the most important traditions and constitutional rights that we as Americans have.

Throughout the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s public education across the United States continued to include considerable religious context. In colonial New England the earliest standard text was the New England Primer, which taught younger children to read and count using biblical references: The letter A was taught with the phrase "In Adam's Fall we sinned all," and P was illustrated with "Peter denies His Lord and cries" (Andryszewski 13-14). Beginning around 1913 and continuing through the first half of the twentieth century, state governments across the country decided to standardize and write into law the practice of Bible reading and prayer in their states' public schools. By mid- century, nearly all of the states permitted some form of Bible reading or formal prayer in public schools. By the 1950's school prayer was commonly practiced

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